WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Blue Campaign
announced the release of a new human trafficking awareness toolkit tailored
to tribal gaming and hospitality professionals. Developed by DHS, the
National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC), the Bureau of Indian Affairs
(BIA), and the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the “Human Trafficking
Response Guide for the Tribal Gaming and Hospitality Industry” marks the
first interagency partnership on a toolkit for the tribal gaming and
hospitality community.
“Successfully combating human trafficking is a
multi-disciplinary, ‘whole-of-society’ effort,” said Secretary Alejandro N.
Mayorkas. “The Human Trafficking Response Guide for the Tribal Gaming and
Hospitality Industry, the first of its kind, will assist an industry that
is vulnerable to traffickers and will help protect potential victims. The
survivor-informed toolkit will aid in the detection and prevention of human
trafficking crimes in tribal gaming and hospitality settings. I thank the
NIGC, BIA, and U.S. Department of Treasury for their continued partnership
to combat human trafficking within the Indian gaming and hospitality
industry.”
“This culturally tailored, survivor-informed toolkit combines
the Department’s human trafficking knowledge, tools, and resources with the
invaluable expertise, perspective, and guidance of the tribal gaming and
hospitality industry, and Indigenous communities,” said DHS Center for
Countering Human Trafficking Director Cardell T. Morant. “The toolkit
empowers Indigenous communities to protect victims and provides them with
the tools for identifying and reporting potential human trafficking
situations to the proper authorities.”
Created at the request of, and with input from, tribal
leaders, tribal gaming employees, and indigenous communities, this toolkit
provides culturally appropriate, survivor-informed tips and resources for
front line tribal gaming and hospitality employees at all levels, including
security, surveillance, and transportation staff; casino gaming attendants;
food and beverage staff; housekeeping, maintenance, and room service; and
front of house staff. Along with specific definitions and examples of human
trafficking, the guide contains printable posters with role-specific
indicators of the crime and appropriate reporting information. The ultimate
goal is prevention through detection and reporting.
“The fight against human trafficking includes highlighting
industry best practices and maximizing coordination and resources across
all of government,” said NIGC Chairman E. Sequoyah Simermeyer. “The Indian
gaming regulatory community’s focus on preparedness can support both and
includes efforts like the interagency toolkit.”
“Human trafficking is one of the worst forms of violence. As a
partner in this process to develop training and outreach materials specific
to human trafficking indicators in the tribal gaming industry, the Agency
is grateful to share our expertise and the input we received from tribes
and tribal gaming operations,” said Jeannie Hovland, NIGC Vice Chair and
Office of Self-Regulation Director. “We’re hopeful this toolkit, infused
with Indigenous culture and survivor informed content, helps those on the
front lines identify potential victims and prevent abuse.”
The “Human Trafficking Response Guide for the Tribal Gaming
and Hospitality Industry” is available for free download at:
dhs.gov/blue-campaign/materials/toolkits.
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About Blue Campaign
DHS Blue Campaign is a national public awareness campaign
designed to educate the public, law enforcement, and other industry
partners on how to recognize the indicators of human trafficking and how to
appropriately respond to possible cases. Blue Campaign is a member of the
DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking (CCHT), a cross-Department
coordination center for countering sex trafficking and forced labor,
including the importation of goods produced with forced labor. CCHT’s
mission is to advance counter-human trafficking law enforcement operations,
protect victims, and enhance prevention efforts by aligning DHS’s
capabilities and expertise. Visit dhs.gov/blue-campaign for more
information.
About NIGC
The National Indian Gaming Commission’s mission is to support
tribal self-sufficiency and the integrity of Indian gaming through
effective regulation. Together with tribes and states, the NIGC regulates
more than 510 gaming establishments operated by nearly 250 tribes across 29
states. To learn more, visit www.nigc.gov
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